Aer Arann opens new Rennes route

AER Arann has announced a new Shannon-Rennes weekly summer service and it is also stepping up the frequency of its Shannon-Edinburgh service.

It is also bringing a jobs boost to Shannon, as it will base a second aircraft there, leading to an increase of 20 Aer Arann staff at the airport.
Under a franchise agreement, Aer Lingus Regional flights are operated by Aer Arann using its own planes and crew. Tickets for the flights are sold under www.aerlingus.com.
Beginning on June 9, the Shannon-Rennes flights will operate until the start of September. The weekly flights will depart Shannon at 3.30pm each Saturday and return from Rennes on Saturday at 7.05pm.
Also from March 25, business and leisure passengers will have even better travel options with the introduction of an improved Shannon-Edinburgh service, with daily connections. Direct flights will depart Shannon at 10.45am with return flights at 12.45pm.
Acting Shannon airport director Niall MacCarthy said, “We are delighted in particular with the announcement of the new service to Rennes. The French market is extremely important for us, with a lot of interest in outbound services to this region.
“It also presents a huge opportunity for the tourism market in the West of Ireland to tap into the strong demand for the unique product that we have across the West.”
An Aer Arann spokesperson said the airline was pleased to increase its offering from Shannon. “Aer Arann remains committed to regional connectivity and to promoting tourism by providing the most direct and easy links between the regions of the UK and France and the regions of Ireland.”
Dr Pat Daly, tourism division manager, Shannon Development said the French market is important.
“This announcement opens up another valuable market for tourism and business interests in the Shannon Region. Rennes is a significant gateway into the lucrative French market. These are tourism markets that Shannon Development has been targeting and we are delighted that these services have been secured.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Shannon Airport Authority and Aer Lingus Regional to maximise the potential of these routes. These new services highlight the continued appeal of Shannon and the west of Ireland as a holiday destination and are a welcome boost for tourism and business in the Shannon Region.”
In the summer of 2008, the first Aer Lingus Regional services from Shannon were announced, with four routes to Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. Since then, the Glasgow service has been replaced by one to Edinburgh.
This week’s announcement follows on from news last week that Wings Abroad are to run a weekly summer service to the Turkish city of Bodrum during the summer.